Football Results

The second match in the Group C is at the same time duel that will decide the winner of the group. Leading France has already qualified for the last 16, while the Danes have four points and still not sure that end up at the second place. Third-placed Australia has three points fewer before this round, which translates that if it wins Peru and Denmark losses to the French, a goal difference alone will decided the second team from the Group C that goes to the round of 16. Let’s add that out of seven previous head-to-heads the French won even six and the Danes just one match, in 2002 in the group phase of the World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

Denmark

After that the Danes lost three friendlies in a row to France, and they definitely have enough motives to bravely face them now at the World Cup. On top of it, the Danes haven’t really qualified for the last 16 as they need at least a draw with France to achieve that, while if they win they would even end-up at the first place in the group as they have two points fewer than leading French. On the other hand, defeat would put the Danes in very unpleasant situation as in that case they would depend from result of the second match in the Group C, where already written-off Peru meets the 3rd-placed Australia, which has three points fewer than Denmark at the moment, so if they win by two goal difference the Australians would be for sure the second in this group.

Of course, the Danes will try to avoid such scenario by all means, which is why we should expect their fairly defensive tactic in match with France. On the other hand, France stated that will not take too many risks as it has already qualified for the round of 16. The Danes were quite lucky in the first round when they faced Peru as their rivals missed a penalty in moment when no team scored a goal, while later on Poulsen scored after a fast counter-attack and brought his team three points. The Danes took a lead against Australia early on through Eriksen, while near the end of first half they received a goal from penalty for the final 1-1. Let’s add Poulsen got the second yellow card in that match and Braithwaite will replace him this time, while out of action due to injury is experienced midfielder Kvist.

Probable lineups Denmark: Schmeichel – Dalsgaard, Kjaer, Christensen, Larsen – Schone, Delaney – Braithwaite, Eriksen, Sisto – Jorgensen

France

We have said in the introduction that the French will be far more relaxed than their opponents given that after two rounds they have qualified for the last 16 of the World Cup in Russia. True, they still haven’t secured the first place in the group as they have just two points more than the Danes, but at the same time they need just a draw, so now they don’t have to attack and use their strength that will be so much needed for the knockout phase. Right because of that manager Deschamps has stated that against the Danes he will send on the pitch practically the reserve team, which will surely give its best in order to present itself in the best possible light given that reservists definitely want to make a place themselves in the team in following matches.

In previous two matches the French won Australia 2-1 and Peru 1-0, where they received the only goal from penalty, so from that point Deschamps can be satisfied with work of defence. On the other hand, the French has a lot to improve in attack especially as they have excellent Mbappe and Griezmann, and experienced Giroud, which should be the starter against the Danes according to latest news mostly due to excellent handling of set pieces, while other players who appeared in two previous rounds should get additional time to rest.

Probable lineups France: Mandanda – Sidibe, Rami, Kimpembe, Mendy – N'Zonzi, Tolisso – Thauvin, Fekir, Lemar – Giroud

Verdict:

Having in mind that both teams would qualify for the round of 16 if they drew this match of the third round, the French as winners of the Group C and the Danes as the second placed team, it can be expected that both manages set more defensive tactic than before, meaning there shouldn’t be too many goals in the end.

Pick: under 2 goals 1.90 - 90/100 @1XBet